INTER MILAN legend Ivan Cordoba believes that Manchester United made a big mistake selling Romelu Lukaku last summer.
The Red Devils cashed in on the £76.5million Belgian on Deadline Day after he had endured a dodgy final year at Old Trafford.
Lukaku has scored 23 goals in 35 games this term for InterCredit: Reuters
Cordoba played with and against some legendary strikers during his 12 years at San SiroCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Lukaku did manage 15 goals in all competitions, but scored in only two of his final 14 Premier League appearances for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men.
He has enjoyed a renaissance in form in Italy under Antonio Conte, and former Inter stalwart Cordoba believes that United will be kicking themselves for letting him go.
He told the Mail: “Lukaku is an extraordinary player.
“Manchester United did not understand the player’s potential and his last season was bad for him. In my opinion Lukaku is proving everyone to be a champion.”
Cordona, now 43, played alongside the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Samuel Eto’o, Ronaldo and Diego Milito during his trophy-laden 12-year spell at San Siro.
But he believes that Lukaku can stand tall among those greats.
The Colombian continued: “He is determined and the Premier League has improved him a lot. I met him: he is a positive leader in the changing rooms.
“It’s a shame that Manchester United sold him, but I’m happy that Inter bought him. Antonio Conte has been fundamental to his form at Inter.”
Ole wanted me to stay but I told him it was over. I didn’t have the energy.
Romelu Lukaku
Back in March, Lukaku revealed that Solskjaer in fact did try and convince him to stay at Old Trafford, but that he didn’t have the “energy”.
He told Ian Wright: “It was a difficult situation, I had to make a decision over going somewhere where I can learn other aspects of my game and work with somebody that wanted me as well.
“Ole wanted me to stay but I told him it was over. I didn’t have the energy. All credit to him because he’s been a man and he helped me making the move away.”
Lukaku struggled for his best form during his last year at Old TraffordCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Lukaku has scored 23 goals in 35 games for Inter this season.
Often playing alongside the much-coveted Lautaro Martinez, the former Everton striker has been a key figure in the club’s improvement this term.
He is one of a number of players signed from the Premier League by Conte, including former United team-mates Alexis Sanchez and Ashley Young – as well as Christian Eriksen and Victor Moses.
The Belgian is one of a number of ex-Premier League stars signed by ConteCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Romelu Lukaku reveals Man Utd boss Solskjaer wanted him to STAY but ‘I didn’t have the energy’ before Inter transfer
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
